Dog breeds of the Celtic countries Dog breeds of the Celtic countries Tuesday, 23 October 2007 Looking for a pet? Before you get a dog, take a look at the following Scottish breeds / Irish breeds / Welsh breeds / Galician breeds / Breton breeds . (All sizes and weights are approximate). Scottish breeds Scottish Deerhound...» Height at withers: 71-76 cm. Weight: 35-50 kg. Appearance: The Deerhound has a thick, rough coat. The usual coat colour ranges from dark to light grey. The tail is long, straight, and reaching almost to the ground. History: Originally, Deerhounds were bred for deer hunting. Temperament: Deerhounds are very docile and make good family dogs. The average adult Deerhound spends much of the day stretched out on the floor, sleeping. However, it is a large dog that needs quite a bit of exercise to keep it healthy. Gordon Setter...» Height at withers: 58-68 cm. Weight: 25-35 kg. Appearance: The Gordon Setter has a long and silky coat.

The coat colour is coal-black with tan features on their feet and lower legs, vents, and muzzles, and two distinctive tan spots on their chests. History: The modern breed as we know it was developed by the Duke of Gordon in the early 1800s. It is the only gundog among the native breeds of Scotland. Temperament: Gordon setters are relativelly passive when compared to other members of the Setter family. They make good companions and guards. Smooth Collie...» (also known as Smooth Coat Collie) Height at withers: 52-60 cm. Weight: 25-30 kg. Appearance: Smooth Collies come in four basic coat colours: sable and white, white, tricolour, and blue merle. All come with white chest, legs, and tail tip and many have white blazes on their faces. History: In 1860, while at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, Queen Victoria became interested in the shepherds' dogs and purchased some for her own kennel. With the Queen's interest, it became fashionable to own Smooth Collies.

Temperament: Smooth Collies are friendly dogs and are used both as family pets and in obedience competition, agility, and other dog sports. They are also useful as service animals for the disabled and blind. Rough Collie...» (also known as Rough Coat Collie) Height at withers: 52-60 cm. Weight: 25-30 kg. Appearance: Rough Collies come in four basic coat colours: sable and white, white, tricolour, and blue merle. All come with white chest, legs, and tail tip and many have white blazes on their faces. The coat needs to be brushed frequently to keep it in a good condition. History: Both Rough and Smooth Collies are descended from a localised variety of herding dog originating in Scotland. Temperament: The Rough Collie is a sociable, easily trained family dog. They get along well with children and sometimes other animals. Bearded Collie...» (also known as Beardie, Highland Collie, Mountain Collie) Height at withers: 50-60 cm. Weight: 20-25 kg.

Appearance: The Bearded Collie has a long coat that can be black, blue, brown or fawn. The colour of the coat changes several times over the life of the dog. The coat needs to be brushed frequently to keep it in a good condition. History: The Bearded Collie was used to herd both sheep and cattle. It is essentially a working dog, able to stand up to the harshest conditions. Temperament: Bearded Collies are very happy and playful, and make good family pets. Due to the breed's need for frequent activity, this is an inappropriate dog for inactive families or apartment dwellers. Border Collie...» Height at withers: 45-50 cm. Weight: 15-20 kg. Appearance: Their coat is most commonly black and white, with other common colours being red and white, blue merle, and tricolour black-tan-white. History: Border Collies are a hard-working herding breed of dog that originated in the border of Scotland and England. Temperament: Border Collies are highly intelligent, extremely energetic, and require a considerable amount of daily exercise, both physical and mental.

Like most working dogs, they have a tendency towards destructive behaviour if not given enough to do. Border Terrier...» Height at withers: 25-30 cm. Weight: 5-7 kg. Appearance: The Border Terrier has a harsh, wiry coat that can be grizzle and tan, blue and tan, red grizzle, and, less commonly, wheaten. History: The breed was developed in the border of Scotland and England for fox hunting. Temperament: Border Terriers are very energetic and playful, and can make good family pets. However, due to their hunting instinct, they are unsuitable for homes where there are other small pets like cats or rabbits. Cairn Terrier...» Height at withers: 25-30 cm. Weight: 6-8 kg. Appearance: The Cairn Terrier has a harsh, weather-resistant coat that can be cream, wheaten, red, sandy, grey, or brindled in any of these colours. Brindled Cairns frequently change colour throughout their lifetime. History: The Cairn is one of Scotland's original Terriers. They are named after the piles of small stones used to mark Scottish hills and land borders.

Temperament: Cairn Terriers are intelligent and fearless. Like most terriers, they are stubborn and love to dig after real or imagined prey. West Highland White Terrier...» (also known as Westie) Height at withers: 25-30 cm. Weight: 7-10 kg. Appearance: West Highland White Terriers are known for their brilliant white coat. History: Westies are descended from Cairn Terriers and Scottish Terriers. The modern breed as we know it was developed in the 1800s. Temperament: Westies are intelligent, friendly with children, but they are independent thinkers and have plenty of attitude for a dog their size. Scottish Terrier...» (also known as Scottie, Aberdeen Terrier) Height at withers: 25-28 cm. Weight: 8-10 kg. Appearance: The usual coat colour ranges from dark grey to jet black. Scotties with Wheaten coats sometimes occur. History: Scotties were originally bred in Scotland about 1700 but achieved their final size and shape by 1890.

Temperament: Like other terriers, they are stubborn and love to dig after real or imagined prey. Skye Terrier...» Height at withers: about 25 cm. Weight: 10-11 kg. Appearance: Skye Terriers are twice as long as they are tall. The breed comes in five coat colours: fawn, blue, dark or light grey, cream, and black with black points (ears, tail, muzzle). History: First bred on the Isle of Skye in the Hebrides, the Skye Terrier was popularised when Queen Victoria began breeding the dogs in the 1840s. Temperament: Skye Terrier is a dog breed of strong personal character. They are loyal and sensitive, but never submissive. They are reserved to strangers and prefer to spend their time with one calm person. Irish breeds Irish Wolfhound...» Height at withers: 75-90 cm. Weight: 40-65. Appearance: The Wolfhound is officially the tallest dog in the world. They have a rough coat that can be grey, brindle, red, black, pure white, or fawn.

History: Wolfhounds could have been bred as war dogs by the Irish Celts, who called them Cú Faoil. Their astonishing size, speed, intelligence and amiable nature made them ideal hunting animals for deer and wolves, hence the name of the breed. Temperament: Despite their great size and sometimes intimidating appearance Irish Wolfhounds are gentle and friendly, very calm in the house, enjoying long sleeps but energetic when taken for walks. Irish Setter...» (also known as Red Setter) Height at withers: 62-67 cm. Weight: 25-35 kg. Appearance: The coat is moderately long and silky and of a deep red colour. They are similar to other members of the Setter family. History: Originally, the Irish Setter was bred for hunting, specifically for pointing gamebirds. The breed was developed in the 1700s from the Old Spanish Pointer, setting spaniels, and early Scottish setters. Temperament: Irish Setters are friendly, playful, and very active. They enjoy human company and are excellent with children. Due to the breed's need for frequent activity, this is an inappropriate dog for inactive families or apartment dwellers.

Height at withers: 57-66 cm. Weight: 25-35 kg. Appearance: The coat is long and silky, mostly white, with deep red patches. History: Originally all Irish Setters were mostly red, or red and white, but for many years breeders developed only the red varieties. Consequently, the breed came close to extinction. Temperament: The Irish Red and White Setter is virtually identical in use and temperament to its cousin, the Irish Setter, but is more often found as a working gundog. Kerry Beagle...» Height at withers: 55-63 cm. Weight: 25-30 kg. Appearance: The coat colour can be black and tan, blue mottled and tan, white and tan, tan and whitem and white. History: The Kerry Beagle is one of the most ancient breeds of Irish dog and is thought to have descended from a dog known vaguely as The Old Southern Hound. Temperament: A vibrant hound built for hunting and endurance. They are also noted for their astonishing speed and independence.

Irish Water Spaniel..» (also known as Shannon Spaniel, Rat Tail Spaniel) Height at withers: 52-59 cm. Weight: 25-30 kg. Appearance: The coat consists of dense curls and is a solid liver colour. The breed is strongly built, and a bit taller and more squarish than other spaniels. The most distinguishing characteristic of these dogs is their long rat-like tails, which are a striking contrast to their otherwise curly coats. History: Irish Water Spaniels share a common lineage with the Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog, and Barbet, but the ultimate origin of the breed is unknown. The modern breed as we know it was developed in Ireland in the 1830s. Temperament: Irish Water Spaniels are intelligent, quick to learn, alert, and inquisitive. They are often shy around strangers. This is an active breed that requires lots of exercise. Wheaten Terrier..» (also known as Irish Soft Coat Wheaten Terrier) Height at withers: 45-50 cm. Weight: 14-20 kg.

Appearance: Wheaten Terriers have a wheat-coloured coat with occasional black, white, or darker brown guard hairs. The coat needs regular trimming. History: The Wheaten were originally bred in Ireland to be an all-purpose farm dog whose duties would have included herding, watching livestock, and hunting. They are believed to be related to the Kerry Blue Terrier. Temperament: Irish Wheaten Terriers are known to be less aggressive and stubborn in nature than that of other terrier breeds. Their temperament is curious, friendly, and very sociable. Kerry Blue...» Height at withers: 45-50 cm. Weight: 15-17 kg. Appearance: Puppies are born black; the blue appears gradually as the puppy grows older, usually up to 2 years of age. History: The breed was used for hunting, cattle herding, dog fights, and guarding. Today, the Kerry is a companion and working dog. Temperament: Like other terriers, they are very active, intelligent, friendly, stubborn, and love hunting. Irish Terrier...» (also known as Irish Red Terrier) Height at withers: 45 cm approximately.

Weight: 11-12 kg. Appearance: Squarely built, he resembles the Fox Terrier but is taller and racier. History: Irish Terriers are believed to have descended from the rough haired Fox Terrier. The modern breed as we know it was developed in 1870. Temperament: Like other terriers, they are very active, intelligent, friendly, stubborn, and love hunting. Glen of Imaal Terrier...» (also known as "Glen") Height at withers: 35 cm approximately. Weight: 15-16 kg. Appearance: The breed has a medium-length coat that is usually wheaten, from a light wheaten colour to a golden reddish shade. History: The breed originates in Wicklow, Ireland, and was developed as a working terrier, proficient in hunting badger and fox. Temperament: Glens adore human contact and are very friendly with children. Like other terriers, they are intelligent, inquisitive, and stubborn. Welsh breeds Welsh Springer Spaniel...» Height at withers: 42-47 cm. Weight: 16-20 kg.

Appearance: The coat is naturally straight, flat and soft to the touch. The colour is rich red and white only. Temperament: Welsh Springer Spaniels are intelligent, alert and very active. Although they are often reserved around strangers, they enjoy human company and are very loyal. Height at withers: 45 cm approximately. Weight: 15-20 kg. Appearance: Welsh Sheepdogs can be black, black and tan, black and white, blue, red, or roan. History: The Welsh Sheepdog is part of Welsh Folklore. They were used for farm work and also for the protection of their masters' flocks from robbers and wolves. Temperament: Welsh Sheepdogs are first and foremost working animals. Bred for hardiness and constant work, this is an inappropriate dog for inactive families or apartment dwellers. Cardigan Welsh Corgi...» (also known as Cardigan) Height at withers: 25-30 cm. Weight: 12-15 kg. Appearance: Cardigans can be red, sable, brindle, or black with or without tan brindle.

They usually have white on the neck, chest, legs, muzzle, underneath, tip of the tail, and as a blaze on the head. Unlike the similar Pembroke Welsh Corg, the Cardigan's tail is never docked. History: Welsh Corgis are believed to be descended from Swedish Vallhund dogs that came to Wales with the Vikings. They are also believed to be related to the Galician Quisquelo. Temperament: Originally bred for herding sheep and cattle, Corgis have proven themselves as excellent companion animals and are outstanding competitors in sheepdog trials and dog agility. Pembroke Welsh Corgi...» (also known as Pembroke) Height at withere: 25-30 cm. Weight: 12-15 kg. Appearance: Pembrokes can be red, sable, fawn, or black and tan with or without white markings on the legs, chest, neck, muzzle, underneath, and as a narrow blaze on the head. The breed has larger rounded ears and a foxy, flowing tail. History: Welsh Corgis are believed to be descended from Swedish Vallhund dogs that came to Wales with the Vikings.

The Pembroke was made popular by Queen Elizabeth II of Britain, who keeps four at all times. Temperament: Originally bred for herding sheep and cattle, Corgis are active and athletic dogs despite their short legs. They are very intelligent, happy, loving, and eager to please. Welsh Terrier...» (also known as Welshie) Height at withers: 40 cm approximately. Weight: 9 kg. Appearance: The coat colour is red-brown with black marks. History: Welsh Terriers are descended from the Old English Black and Tan Terriers. The modern breed as we know it was developed in the 1800s. Temperament: Welshies are intelligent and friendly with children. Like other terriers, they are active dogs and need a lot of intellectual stimulation to stay agreeable. Sealyham Terrier...» Height at withers: 27 cm approximately. Weight: 10.5 kg. Appearance: The coat colour is all white, or with lemon, tan, or badger markings, on head and ears.

History: The Sealyham Terrier was created in the 1850s by crossing Basset Hounds, Bull Terriers, the Fox Terrier, the West Highland White Terrier, and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Temperament: Sealyham Terriers are energetic and playful, and can make good family pets. Like other terriers, they can be stubborn and may not be suitable for homes where there are other small pets. Galician breeds Galician Barn Dog / Palleiro..» (also known as 'Pastor Celta' / Celtic Shepherd) Height at withers: 57-65 cm. Weight: 25-35 kg. Appearance: Palleiros are wolf-like type and strongly built. They come in four basic coat colours: wheaten, cinnamon, chestnut and black. History: Celtic Shepherds would have been bred by the Galician Celts as an all-purpose farm dog. They were used for herding, watching livestock, and hunting. Temperament: They are intelligent, calm, and reserved to strangers. They are also gentle and loyal, and they get along well with children and sometimes other animals.

Galician Pointer / Perdigueiro Galego...» Height at withers: 50-60 cm. Weight: 25-30 kg. Appearance: They have a short, rough coat that can be white, brindled, orange, or black, in any of these colours. History: Galician Pointers share a common lineage with English, Portuguese, and Spanish Pointers. The modern breed as we know it was developed in the 1970s through crossbreeding with English and German Pointers. Temperament: They are friendly, playful, and quick to learn. This is an active breed that requires lots of exercise. Galician Hound / Podengo Galego...» Height at withers: 42 cm approximately. Weight: about 15 kg. Appearance: The usual coat colour ranges from reddish to sandy, with white patches on the chest, forehead, tail, and paws. History: The Galician Hound was saved from extinction in 1999 following a government plan to promote Galicia’s native dog breeds.

Galician Quisquelo / Quisquelo...» (also known as "Guicho") Height at withers: 34-42 cm. Weight: 20 kg approximately. Appearance: The usual coat colour ranges from brown to cinnamon. History: The breed is very old, and is believed to share a common lineage with the Welsh Corgi and the Swedish Vallhund. Temperament: Originally bred for hunting rabits, foxes and boars, Quisquelos are active and athletic dogs despite their short legs. Breton breeds Brittany Spaniel / Epagneul Breton...» Height at withers: 44-52 cm. Weight: 13-18 kg. Appearance: The coat is of moderate length, flat, or wavy, with slight feathering on the ears and legs. The coat colour is mostly white with orange or liver spots. History: Originally, the Epagneul Breton was bred for bird hunting. The breed was developed in Brittany in the 1800s. Temperament: Brittanies are very outgoing, lively, and good with children. This is an active breed that requires lots of exercise.

Height at withers: 47-55 cm. Weight: 25-30. Appearance: The coat colour ranges from fawn to red. History: Brittany Fawns are a very old breed, possibly from the 14th century or earlier. Fawns were used up to the 19th century to hunt wolves. Temperament: The Griffon is a hunting dog, bred to be hardy and reliable, able to stand up to the harshest conditions. They are very friendly and adore human contact. Fawn Brittany Basset / Basset Fauve de Bretagne...» Height at withers: 32-38 cm approximately. Weight: 25-30. Appearance: Bassets are short legged dogs. The coat is short, dense, and wity. The coat colour fawn wheaten to deep red wheaten. History: The breed was developed as a hunting dog from the larger Grand Fauve de Bretagne, a breed that is now extinct. Temperament: Bassets are very loving and make good family dogs. Submitted by Shona Anderson, July 2005 Are you looking for dog breeders in the Celtic countries?

» The Irish Kennel Club - The IKC provides a register of purebred dogs in Ireland and issues export licenses and pedigree certificates. Membership, show dates, and newsletter. » The Scottish Kennel Club - The SKC is the leading canine authority in Scotland, existing for the main purpose of promoting and encouraging the improvement and well being of dogs. Terrier Group - American Kennel Club Terrier Group Terrier Group People familiar with this Group invariably comment on the distinctive terrier personality. These are feisty, energetic dogs whose sizes range from fairly small, as in the Norfolk, Cairn or West Highland White Terrier, to the grand Airedale Terrier. Terriers typically have little tolerance for other animals, including other dogs. Their ancestors were bred to hunt and kill vermin. Many continue to project the attitude that they're always eager for a spirited argument. Most terriers have wiry coats that require special grooming known as stripping in order to maintain a characteristic appearance. In general, they make engaging pets, but require owners with the determination to match their dogs' lively characters.

Irish Terrier Dog Breed Information, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts – Dogtime Dog Breed Group: Terrier Dogs Height: 1 foot, 6 inches to 1 foot, 8 inches tall at the shoulder Weight: 25 to 27 pounds Life Span: 12 to 16 years The Irish Terrier's motto is "No fear." Nicknamed "Daredevil," this medium-size, agile dog has a tight, wiry red coat and a snootful of courage. He's animated and loyal, always on guard, and willing to take on anything that comes his way and threatens his people and home. With that tough terrier attitude, however, comes a need for training and socialization from an early age. Irish Terriers are extremely intelligent and learn easily, but any training must work around their independent, willful spirit. If you can make the dog think that training is his idea, you'll get a happy worker who meets or exceeds any goals you may have set for him. That's balanced by a reckless spirit that can be blind to consequences, so it can be necessary to protect him from his sometimes intemperate desire to guard his loved ones.

Irish Terriers are wonderful watchdogs, barking to warn their owners of anything new. Some dogs will become excessive barkers if their behavior isn't controlled from the start. Thanking the dog for the alert and then distracting him with another command or game is a good way to make sure your dog learns to control his barking. Irish Terriers are excellent people dogs when they receive early socialization , and this helps make them wonderful family companions. They're best suited to families where someone is home during the day. They aren't overly active indoors and are happy to relax with their people, but they need exercise in the form of walks and occasional romps in a securely fenced area. The Irish Terrier has excellent hunting skills and a strong desire to seek out and destroy vermin, so a fenced yard and leashed walks are necessary for his safety. He'll chase rapidly moving objects without paying attention to where the chase is leading him. Irish Terriers adore children and are great playmates, especially when raised with them. Make sure very young children are supervised at all times to prevent injury to both the dog and the child.

Irish Terriers can learn to get along with cats if they're raised with them from puppyhood, but they may not be trustworthy around smaller pets, especially pets from the rodent family such as mice, rats, hamsters, and gerbils. Their terrier instinct to hunt this type of animal may be too strong to overcome. This breed does not do well with other dogs. Irish Terriers can be aggressive toward dogs of the same sex, and they don't back down from a challenge. They will fight to the point of serious injury to themselves or the other dog. Being fearless, they'll take on dogs much larger than themselves without thought for the consequences. Make sure your dog is on leash and you have control when around other dogs at any time. With his speed, endurance, and grace the Irish Terrier is an excellent competitor who loves the challenge of the agility ring. He can do well in the sports of obedience and rally, and his soft mouth and love of water make him a capable hunting dog who can retrieve game birds on land or from water. Irish Terriers are also excellent show dogs.

If you're looking for a versatile, active, spunky dog who will watch over your family for many years, the Irish Terrier could be the breed for you. He's not one of the more well-known breeds, so finding a breeder with puppies can be difficult. Expect to spend some time on a waiting list and to pay a higher price than you might for a more popular breed. The expense is well worth it, though, admirers say. If you find the right dog, the Irish Terrier can be the most wonderful companion your family will ever have. Highlights Irish Terriers will not necessarily get along with any other dog. They will fight if challenged by another dog and will not back down. Irish Terriers can be stubborn. They are terriers and will dig if your yard has moles or other rodents. Irish Terries can be barkers . Irish Terriers must have regular opportunities to burn off their energy. Irish Terriers need mental challenges such as training and play to thrive. Obedience training is highly recommended. The "come" command can be difficult to teach. They can be dominant and attempt to take over the household. You must be consistent and teach them that you are in charge at all times.

To get a healthy dog, never buy a puppy from an irresponsible breeder, puppy mill, or pet store. Look for a reputable breeder who tests her breeding dogs to make sure they're free of genetic diseases that they might pass onto the puppies, and that they have sound temperaments. History The Irish Terrier is probably one of the oldest Terrier breeds and may have as one of its ancestors the now-extinct black and tan Terrier and a larger wheaten-colored terrier. He emerged as a recognized breed in 1875 or thereabouts, at a dog show in Glasgow, Scotland, of all places. By 1879, two Irish Terriers, Ch. Erin and Killney Boy, were producing many champions and are considered the foundation of the breed. The 1880s were a banner decade for the Irish Terrier. During that time, they were the fourth most popular breed in Britain. They were also the source of a controversy that led to a major change in the appearance of British dogs.

It had been common practice to crop the ears of terriers and some other breeds, but in 1889 the Irish Terrier Club required that all dogs born after a certain date that year have uncropped ears if they were to be shown under Kennel Club rules. This led to a great outcry but eventually resulted in the banning of ear cropping for any breed in Great Britain. The breed rapidly spread to the United States. The first Irish Terrier was shown at the Westminster Kennel Club show in 1881, and the first Irish Terrier registered with the American Kennel Club was Aileen in 1885. The Irish Terrier Club of America was founded in 1896. In World War I, Irish Terriers distinguished themselves as messenger dogs and sentinels, receiving many accolades for bravery and loyalty. The commandant of the British War Dog School, Lt. Col. E. H. Richardson, wrote of them: "Many a soldier is alive today through the effort of one of these Terriers....

They are extraordinarily intelligent, faithful, and honest, and a man who has one of them as a companion will never lack a true friend." Given his fine qualities, it's surprising that the Irish Terrier has slowly faded from popularity. He's rarely seen in the show ring with the exception of specialty shows, which are well attended, but his popularity may receive a boost from the 2007 movie Firehouse Dog. Irish Terriers rank 123rd among the 155 breeds and varieties registered by the AKC. Size The ideal weight for males is 27 pounds, for females 25 pounds. The height at the shoulder is 18 to 20 inches. Personality The Irish Terrier was created to be a companion, guard dog, and hunter. As such, he's good-tempered, spirited, alert, and adaptable. He's also plucky, reckless, curious, and devoted. Those things all sound wonderful, and they are, but those characteristics aren't always easy to live with. This is an independent, smart, strong-willed dog who's scrappy with other dogs. He needs mental challenges in the form of training and play, physical exercise, and loving but firm discipline.

On the plus side, Irish Terriers love people and are often friendly toward strangers. They're not a one-person dog. Temperament is affected by a number of factors, including heredity, training, and socialization. Puppies with nice temperaments are curious and playful, willing to approach people and be held by them. Choose the middle-of-the-road puppy, not the one who's beating up his littermates or the one who's hiding in the corner. Always meet at least one of the parents — usually the mother is the one who's available — to ensure that they have nice temperaments that you're comfortable with. Meeting siblings or other relatives of the parents is also helpful for evaluating what a puppy will be like when he grows up. Like every dog, an Irish Terrier needs early socialization — exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences — when he's young. Socialization helps ensure that your Irish Terrier puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. Enrolling him in a puppy kindergarten class is a great start. Inviting visitors over regularly, and taking him to busy parks, stores that allow dogs, and on leisurely strolls to meet neighbors will also help him polish his social skills.

Health The Irish Terrier is a healthy breed and doesn't have any common health problems. If you're buying a puppy, find a good breeder who will show you health clearances for both your puppy's parents. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition. In Irish Terriers, you should expect to see health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for hip dysplasia (with a score of fair or better), elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and von Willebrand's disease; from Auburn University for thrombopathia; and from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) certifying that eyes are normal. You can confirm health clearances by checking the OFA web site (offa.org). Care Some Irish Terriers are inveterate escape artists , so fence height should be higher than one might think is needed for a dog this size. A good height is five to six feet. Like all terriers, ITs are diggers, so the bottom of your fence should be escape-proof as well. You may need to set it in concrete or line the bottom of it with chicken wire.

An underground electronic fence will not keep an Irish Terrier confined. More important, it won't prevent other dogs from coming onto your property and getting into a fight with your IT. The energetic Irish Terrier needs moderate exercise . Give him two or three walks on leash of 20 to 30 minutes each day. A chance to romp in a safely fenced area is also welcome. He's not a true running breed, but he's a good companion for joggers who go at an easy to moderate pace. He's not a distance runner or a fast-paced dog. Condition him gradually, and wait until he's fully grown before you start jogging with him. If you can control his tendency to bark , an Irish Terrier will do as well in an apartment as in a house. He should live indoors with his people, and given sufficient exercise, he's a quiet, polite housemate. If you leave him alone in the backyard with no companionship or occupation, he's likely to relandscape it with a number of holes. Puppy or adult, the Irish Terrier is playful, but his idea of play and yours may vary.

He'll enjoy shredding magazines or other papers, overturning the garbage or the laundry basket, surfing the kitchen counter or dining room table for something to eat (he'll find a way up there) and, of course, barking at every passing car, dog, bicyclist — you get the idea. Dogproof your home, teach him what's acceptable behavior and what's not, and crate him when you can't be there to supervise, especially during his curious puppyhood. A crate protects him from getting into trouble for being destructive , and it protects your belongings from destruction. When it comes to training , the Irish Terrier has a "What's in it for me?" attitude. You've got to give him an incentive to do what you want, and if you don't keep training fun and interesting, he'll just ignore you. Training an Irish Terrier requires creativity, firmness, and positive reinforcement in the form of praise, play, and food rewards. He's sensitive and won't respond well to harsh treatment. Keep training sessions short, change them around a lot, and always end them when he's done something well and you can praise him for it.

Feeding Recommended daily amount: 1 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. NOTE: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. Dogs are individuals, just like people, and they don't all need the same amount of food. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. The quality of dog food you buy also makes a difference — the better the dog food, the further it will go toward nourishing your dog and the less of it you'll need to shake into your dog's bowl. Keep your adult Irish Terrier in good shape by measuring his food and feeding him twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. If you're unsure whether he's overweight , give him the hands-on test. Place your hands on his back, thumbs along the spine, with the fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see his ribs without having to press hard. If you can't, he needs less food and more exercise. For more on feeding your Irish Terrier, see our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog .

Coat Color And Grooming The Irish Terrier is jacketed with dense, wiry hair. The hairs grow so closely together that even if you part them with your fingers, it's hard to see the skin. It's short enough that you can still see the outline of the body. At the base of the stiff outer coat is some finer and softer hair, lighter in color, which is the undercoat. The double coat protects the Irish Terrier from rough underbrush and cold or wet weather when he's working or playing outdoors. His coat is bright red, golden red, red wheaten, or wheaten (pale yellow or fawn). He may have a small patch of white on the chest. Puppies sometimes have black hair at birth, which should disappear before they are grown. Brush the coat weekly with a natural bristle brush to keep it clean and healthy. You must strip it by hand a couple of times a year if you want to keep the hard texture and bright color, a must if you plan to show your Irish Terrier. For companion dogs, it's often easier to clip the coat, but be aware that it will become softer to the touch and lighter in color. You may or may not care about that.

If you plan to strip it, ask the breeder to show you how. It's the kind of thing you can do while you and your IT are watching a 30-minute television show. If you don't mind the scruffy look, you can just leave the coat as is, with no stripping or clipping. Irish Terriers shed little and are sometimes referred to as nonallergenic or hypoallergenic. There is no truly nonallergenic breed. Every dog produces some allergens through skin dander (not hair), saliva, and urine. That said, some people with allergies do find that they can tolerate this breed. Individual dogs, even within the same breed, vary in the amount of allergens they produce, so the best thing you can do is to meet as many Irish Terriers as possible and see how you react around them. Other grooming needs include dental hygiene and nail care. Brush your Irish Terrier's teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and the accompanying bacteria. Daily is better. Trim his nails once or twice a month, as needed. If you can hear the nail clicking on the floor, they're too long.

Short nails keep the feet in good condition, don't get caught in the carpet and tear, and don't scratch your legs when your Irish Terrier enthusiastically jumps up to greet you. It's not exactly a grooming issue, but your Irish Terrier puppy's ears may need to be "trained" to achieve those perfectly folded V-shaped ears that contribute to the Irish Terrier's roguish demeanor. This involves gluing and taping the ears to the head until they fall right, usually at 4 to 8 months of age. If it's necessary, your dog's breeder can show you how. Children And Other Pets It's said that the little people (leprechauns) gave Irish Terriers to children to be their playmates. Their size and energy level make them great companions for active kids, but as always, they should both be supervised, especially if children are very young. Teach your puppy not to be rough or mouthy, and teach your child not to pull the dog's tail or ears or hit him. Children should never approach any dog while he's sleeping or eating or try to take the dog's food away. No dog should ever be left unsupervised with a child.

Irish Terriers don't like strange dogs, and they can be aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex. Early socialization with lots of other dogs, strong leadership on your part, and neutering can go a long way toward reducing an Irish Terrier's dog aggression, but they're not a guarantee that you'll turn him into a dog who's buddy-buddy with other canines. If you have one Irish Terrier, he can probably learn to get along with one or more cats. Early socialization is key. More than one Irish Terrier may gang up on a cat or cats. Always supervise their interactions and, if necessary, separate them when you're gone. Rescue Groups Irish Terriers are sometimes bought without any clear understanding of what goes into owning one. These dogs may end up in need of adoption and or fostering.

Question: What type of dog has breeds called Welsh, Scottish and Irish?
Answer: Terriers